Matting down oils ?

[Ron Tamburrini]

Thanks for that info, Ron! That is precisely the experience I had when I tried using it on a figure. I have Mussini-Schminke colors, and I cut it with the wax, but it still dried with a bit of a gloss.

Prost!
Brad

Pruss blue and also Flake white are an absolute no no Brad

 

[Babelfish]

I'm late to the party in this thread, but I like "502 Abteilung" oils from the MIG Productions range.

They're thicker than most oils and have an almost paste-like consistency, but leave the carrier to leech out for a few minutes and they dry dead flat without the need for Dullcote or similar. I've also never had any issues blending them with W&N oils either.

http://migproductionswebshop.com/index.php?cPath=25_38&osCsid=813f7e1255319f639654214d05fbf538

Another method I often use to matt down oils is to add some Humbrol matt enamel to the mix (the colour obviously depending on the colour scheme I'm working with). I've had decent results doing that also.

- Steve

 

[Colin_Fraser]

I have been toying with oils for the first time in a while and have had great success matting oils using a combination of pre-soaking the oil on card for 15 minutes prior to transfering to the palette, adding some wax medium to traditionally glossy paints, and drying under a 60 watt desk light bulb at a range of about 2". For this latter technique, keep in mind that I am using oven-bake polymer clay (sculpey). If you try it, be careful not to overheat fine resin or white metal.

Colin

 

[Claude Portsmouth]

Some interesting tips here-I don't know if any of you base your figures before painting? I did this recently with a 54mm Napoleonic figure and found that the wooden base started to crack under the heat when I put the figure in the drying box.

Just a word of caution.

Claude

 

[1969]

Good point Claude, had not considered that regarding wooden bases.
Steve

 

[Stelios Demiras]

Hello Steve and everyone,
The most sure way is:
1. Undercoat with Andrea matt acrylic or Humbrol mat enamel (for the enamel leave at least 48hours to cure)
2. Put the oils to card for 15 -20 minutes according to the oil that have
3. Prepare a thinner with Essence de petrol from Lefranc Bourgeois + zippo fluid (usually 70% + 30% but it depends)
4. Use the thinner to make the oils like thick paint.
5. Apply

Please have in mind that in this way the drying time is reduced a lot…so for wet on wet you must be quick...

This will reduced the glossy or satin effect to minimum but to have a totally matt finish you have to experiment with the proportions of the fluids and it depends of the oil company. The above works very good with Winsor & Newton Artists'. This trick has come to my knowledge from the well known master Louis D'Orio in Athens Show about 10 years ago and it is really works!!. Thank you Louis.

Try it and let us know your success!

Regards
Stelios